Commanche Court top weight for National

Commanche Court has been installed the 8-1 co-favourite by Paddy Power to repeat last year's victory in the £130,000 Powers Gold…

Commanche Court has been installed the 8-1 co-favourite by Paddy Power to repeat last year's victory in the £130,000 Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse this Sunday.

Ted Walsh's eight-year-old heads the weights published today for the three-mile-five-furlong contest on 12st with Micko's Dream from the Willie Mullins' stable next on 11st 10lb and the 2000 runner-up Foxchapel King (8-1) on 10st 13lb, 1lb behind Ferbet Junior from the Jessica Harrington stable.

Mrs Harrington's Slaney Native is on the same mark as Foxchapel King with Feathered Leader, who finished second two years ago, and top hunter Sheltering (9-1) on 10st 1lb.

Shannon Gale, runner-up to the country's top novice Sackville at Leopardstown last Friday, is the other co-favourite.

READ MORE

Gale, who carries the colours of JP McManus and is trained by Christy Roche, is currently 6lb out of the handicap proper on 9st 8lb.

The Powers Irish Grand National is the highlight of the final day of the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse which has been delayed because of the foot and mouth disease precautions.

On Saturday, the £65,000 Powers Gold Cup and the £80,000 Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle are the feature races.

Sackville could be opposed by Limestone Lad in the Powers Gold Cup Novice Chase over two and a half miles, while Friday evening's session that opens the three-day meeting features three of Ireland's top jumpers in the Dan Moore Handicap Chase over an extended two miles.

Mullins can chose between Florida Pearl (12st) and Micko's Dream who is rated 10lb inferior. Moscow Express which defeated Florida Pearl last time has risen sharply in the weights and is now just 3lb below the top weight. - PA